Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey Circus to end elephant performances in May

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus will retire its elephants from performance in May this year, almost two years earlier than planned.

“The Greatest Show on Earth” will transfer the eleven elephants currently on tour with the company to the Ringling Bros Center for Elephant Conservation in Florida.

The elephants will join an existing herd of 42 to play an integral role in pioneering cancer research led by paediatric cancer specialist Dr Joshua Schiffman.

The program seeks to uncover the link between elephants and their low rate of cancer. Despite their size, an elephant’s cancer mortality rate is only 4.8 percent compared to 11-25 percent in humans.

Feld Entertainment, the parent company of Ringling Bros, established the centre in 1995.

“Our company and our family’s commitment to save the majestic Asian elephant will continue through our breeding program, research and conservation efforts at the Centre,” Alana Feld, Ringling Bros. Producer and Executive Vice President said in a statement.

On March 5 last year, Feld Entertainment announced it would be ending elephant performances by 2018, citing a “mood shift” among its customers.

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Following the initial announcement, animal welfare group PETA had called for the circus to take immediate action, rather than delay the changes. PETA does not support the Florida conservation centre.

The Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus has been performing with elephants since it purchased Jumbo, the world’s largest elephant, in 1882. The company will reveal its first elephant-free production in April this year.